Rockwood lands school safety grant

December 14, 2012|VICKI ROCK | Daily American Staff Writer

Daily American file photo

Rockwood school district has been awarded a $14,976 Safe Schools Target Grant from the state Department of Education.

Elementary Principal John Hale said the district applied for the grant to provide additional mental health/mental retardation counseling and to advance the Student Assistance Program for both the elementary and high schools. The program is for students who have difficulties socially, emotionally or academically.

"We are very pleased to receive this grant," Hale said in a telephone interview.

"We're very happy and excited to have been awarded this grant," Bower said.

Rockwood was the only district in Somerset County to receive a grant.

Education Secretary Ron Tomalis on Friday said in a press release that $479,513 has been awarded to 37 public schools through the Safe Schools Targeted Grant to establish and implement programs to prevent and reduce incidents of violence.

"Ensuring the safety of Pennsylvania's students is of the utmost importance," Tomalis said. "Students, parents and teachers expect schools to be a safe environment in which to learn. These funds will provide the necessary resources for schools to put programs into place that will enhance safety in our schools."